Seattle bois represent. I'm way more active in the reddit community but I too have been pinged.
EE is nice, decent selection at a wide range of price points, especially for lefty SB knives which you dont see too often. Main guy is definitely passionate about knives and knowledgeable, but can be very lecturey and not pick up when he's talking to people that also have some knowledge, I want to nerd out, not be talked at lol.
I'd definitely rec Bob at seattle knife sharpening for any heavy lifting jobs. Will convex your western beaters and make them actually perform well and is super reasonable with pricing. Wait times can be long but definitely worth it. I dont know how he does with finer sharpening/stone work as I just sharpen my own, but I'm sure it's good based off of the grinder work he does.
I also really like the guys at Seattle Edge, super into knives and sharpening and it's fun to geek out with them. You can tell they are used to putting on edges for "general usage" as they are a bit thicker and robust behind the edge and at higher angles than I'd personally go, but I can see how they dont want people returning with a chipped knives thinking it's their fault. Also a decent selection of naniwa products and a few knives on hand. Also will let you make some test cuts on some actual food, definitely a fun little shop.
As far as smiths I'd second the cool stuff going on through Pratt, got to do a little class with my work as well. I know there's a shop in Ballard and a guy from out on one of the islands comes through the farmers markets from time to time, I forget names tho.
I would not rec the shop down by Pike's, small selection and mediocre knives for the most part.
If I think of anything else I'll try to comment back in
